2n = 20

2n = 20

Rhizome woody, 1–2 mm. diam. Culms (1.5)–5–50–(90) cm. × (0.5)–1–2–(2.5) mm. diam., us. crowded in distant tufts, ± erect, terete, striated; lower sheath dark red with an oblique orifice, upper sheath paler, closely appressed to culm, orifice us. truncate or rarely slightly oblique, with dark thickened edge and distinct mucro at back. Spikelet 5–25 × 2–5 mm., cylindrical, acute at tip. Glumes ∞, basal 2 sterile, shorter, broader and paler than rest, upper glumes ovate-lanceolate with hyaline tips. Hypog. bristles (6)–7–(8), some =, some > nut. Stamens 3. Style 3-fid. Nut c. 1.5 × 1 mm., obovoid, biconvex or plano-convex, pale brown, smooth or faintly reticulate; the small persistent style-base triangular, compressed, white or very pale brown.